Does anyone know roughly what power rating the new BMW HIDs are? They seem noticeably brighter and more distinctive than other HID equipped cars and want the same/similar rating HIDs for my Z.

 

Reason I ask is because I've seen some HID equipped cars which have seemed somewhat dim in comparison. I understand that the earlier cars fitted with them were of a less powerful rating, some 4,000 - 5,000k. I know typically, that 5,000k is the purest and most effective HID rating as it's the most effective. But want a slight blue tinge. Don't want to go much over 6,000k really as it's pointless. HIDs become less effective at much over 5,000k anyway. 8,000k is just for bling.

 

Thanks

Anyone? Or the Merc ones..... RichardSmith?

Maybe they seem brighter because of the way the lens spreads the light? Our lights are positioned rather low down and are set back quite a bit which will no doubt reduce the amount of light that is spread out onto the road.

BTW I have 8000k and they arent that good at all! If I didnt wait 9 months to get them off an ex trader, I would've complained!

Hey Si,

 

Why'd you think of me there.......

 

.....anyway, I have a theory!

 

Firstly (and someone who works for Merc/BMW please correct me if I'm wrong) but don't Merc & BMW use Hella lighting as standard, which is normally top notch stuff.

 

Secondly, and this expands on Piesoup's comments regarding beam pattern. Light bulbs are cylinder or cone-shaped, hence the naural beam pattern is round (like when you shine a torch). Now I've noticed (yawn, I know) that most car headlights (including the reflective silver bit, whatever it's called) is square or rectangular. This must effectively "cut off" the edges of the round beam projected from the light. Now BMWs and the new Mercs all have round headlamps. (Or individual round lights behind one bigger front lens)

 

I've read somewhere that round headlights are better than square ones - BMWs have nearly always had round lights so even their halogen lights are better. When I had my Mk3 Supra, that had a square lamp in the pop-up pod; the beam cast was pretty good (when I installed PIAA bulbs) but it still could not compare to the round lamps that were installed in the pods of the Mazda MX5 or Porsche 944, despite being a similar size and level from the ground.

 

What do you reckon.......?

 

Richard :cool:

.......BTW I have 8000k and they arent that good at all! If I didnt wait 9 months to get them off an ex trader, I would've complained!

 

No they wouldn't be really. 8000k lights are too "blue" hence no real light output; they are only cosmetic. You should have no more than 6000k which is white - much more like natural sunlight; I believe that is what HID kit I have and the effect is excellent. They have a slight hint of blue, similar to Mercedes and the spread on the road is so good that I rarely need full beam.

 

Richard :)

Thanks guys. Although I don't think the distinctive sparkle have have is down to the shape of the headlamp units themselves. It's the effect from deep inside the light. They all have projector style headlamp casings so regardless of what they are then sat it, shouldn't make an effect on the sparkle they give....if that makes sense?

 

NB, I thought of you because you have an SLK and a Z with HIDs! LOL

Hey Si,

 

Why'd you think of me there.......

 

.....anyway, I have a theory!

 

Firstly (and someone who works for Merc/BMW please correct me if I'm wrong) but don't Merc & BMW use Hella lighting as standard, which is normally top notch stuff.

 

Secondly, and this expands on Piesoup's comments regarding beam pattern. Light bulbs are cylinder or cone-shaped, hence the naural beam pattern is round (like when you shine a torch). Now I've noticed (yawn, I know) that most car headlights (including the reflective silver bit, whatever it's called) is square or rectangular. This must effectively "cut off" the edges of the round beam projected from the light. Now BMWs and the new Mercs all have round headlamps.

 

I've read somewhere that round headlights are better than square ones - BMWs have nearly always had round lights so even their halogen lights are better. When I had my Mk3 Supra, that had a square lamp in the pop-up pod; the beam cast was pretty good (when I installed PIAA bulbs) but it still could not compare to the round lamps that were installed in the pods of the Mazda MX5 or Porsche 944, despite being a similar size and level from the ground.

 

What do you reckon.......?

 

Richard :cool:

 

Only the main beam bulb uses the reflector on the Z.

The dipped beam is from the glass projector lense and isn't affected by the rest of the headlight shape.

Thanks guys. Although I don't think the distinctive sparkle have have is down to the shape of the headlamp units themselves. It's the effect from deep inside the light. They all have projector style headlamp casings so regardless of what they are then sat it, shouldn't make an effect on the sparkle they give....if that makes sense?

 

NB, I thought of you because you have an SLK and a Z with HIDs! LOL

 

Then I'd say it is down to the quality of the HID bulbs. Merc & BMW use expensive Hella kit while the mainstream manufacturers probably use "the economy" version. Our aftermarket kits weigh in at a couple of hundred pounds so don't really compare with OEM BMW/Merc versions.

 

BTW my SLK is an old shape one with halogen lamps. I haven't thought of fitting HIDs as it doesn't really need them........ ;)

 

Richard :)

No they wouldn't be really. 8000k lights are too "blue" hence no real light output; they are only cosmetic. You should have no more than 6000k which is white - much more like natural sunlight; I believe that is what HID kit I have and the effect is excellent. They have a slight hint of blue, similar to Mercedes and the spread on the road is so good that I rarely need full beam.

 

Richard :)

Yeah, agree 110% with you there! I did order 6000K HIDs from a certain ****@greddy but 9 months later I eventually received the lights, albeit 8000K. Wasnt worth the pain and Iain's (MAC1) time sorting it out. The light is good, just that the tar on the road absorbs that freq of light as apposed to the white yellow light which it reflects.

Do you know if it is possible to purchase 6000K bulbs seperately?

Yeah, agree 110% with you there! I did order 6000K HIDs from a certain ****@greddy but 9 months later I eventually received the lights, albeit 8000K. Wasnt worth the pain and Iain's (MAC1) time sorting it out. The light is good, just that the tar on the road absorbs that freq of light as apposed to the white yellow light which it reflects.

Do you know if it is possible to purchase 6000K bulbs seperately?

 

At least you got some. He sent me a faulty set in an old shoe box that he'd already passed around people trying to repair them then sent them to me as new!

Of course he didn't know how that could have happened and a replacement set were on the way along with a set of gauges I've never had :rant: :xxx:

Jesus Christ! Seems like Chris shafted a few people as well as someone else for an engine.

 

Richard, so you still get that nice hint of blue from certain angles and other angles it looks crystal clear....I know this is a trait of HIDs, but just wondering what kelvin rating the BMW/Merc ones are.

At least you got some. He sent me a faulty set in an old shoe box that he'd already passed around people trying to repair them then sent them to me as new!

Of course he didn't know how that could have happened and a replacement set were on the way along with a set of gauges I've never had :rant: :xxx:

 

Yip, I got the shoe box set too! Cant believe they were doing the rounds. Definitly owe Iain a pint for keeping on at him!

..........Richard, so you still get that nice hint of blue from certain angles and other angles it looks crystal clear....I know this is a trait of HIDs, but just wondering what kelvin rating the BMW/Merc ones are.

 

Exactly!

 

As for the Merc/BM question, I'd say 5000k. From what I've seen they are a lot bluer on start-up then get brighter and whiter as they warm up. The MD at work has a new R class Merc and the lights on that are a similar colour to the ones on my ZX, although they are bluer on start-up.

 

Richard

.........Do you know if it is possible to purchase 6000K bulbs seperately?

 

Yes, if you know what the make of the kit is. But 2 bulbs will be almost as much as the original kit, I'd say. Speak to Danny at DTA, he may be able to help you.

 

Richard :)

Yeah I thought Danny would be the best person to speak to! Cheers mate ;)